Chautauqua
In 1874 the Chautauqua Lake Sunday School Assembly was formed in western New York on the banks the lake from which it takes its name. The program utilized theater, lectures, music and movement to instruct Sunday School teachers in religious education.
Over time the Chautauqua Institute grew out of the original camp and the programing became year round and more secular in nature. Chautauqua assemblies gained popularity and began being held throughout the country, quickly becoming centers for adult education. In rural areas, where smaller populations precluded permanent assemblies, programs were brought in by train.
In the early 20th century, the movements heyday, there were hundreds of “tent” Chautauquas and over 150 independent assemblies with their own lecture halls. The Chautauqua movement is credited with influencing programs like summer school, correspondence courses and university extension programs. The Chautauqua movement has seen a resurgence of interest over the last two decade and several dozen annual festival occur throughout the North America.
Over time the Chautauqua Institute grew out of the original camp and the programing became year round and more secular in nature. Chautauqua assemblies gained popularity and began being held throughout the country, quickly becoming centers for adult education. In rural areas, where smaller populations precluded permanent assemblies, programs were brought in by train.
In the early 20th century, the movements heyday, there were hundreds of “tent” Chautauquas and over 150 independent assemblies with their own lecture halls. The Chautauqua movement is credited with influencing programs like summer school, correspondence courses and university extension programs. The Chautauqua movement has seen a resurgence of interest over the last two decade and several dozen annual festival occur throughout the North America.
Jessica Downing-Ford
When the Museum of the West offered an adult Chautauqua workshop in the spring of 2018, Jessica didn't have to grapple with choosing her historical figure—it was Abigail Adams. She fell in love not only with Abigail but with the art of Chautauqua as well; she jokes that she’d been waiting her whole life to find an avenue for her talents. Jessica enjoys bringing Abigail to life for history classes in western Colorado as well as coaching students through the Young Chautauqua program with Colorado Humanities 
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Kathy Applebee
Kathy has been involved in a number of school, church, community and professional acting troupes such as Mesa Murder Mystery. She began doing Chautauqua in 2017 and portrays Nellie Bly, Zelda Fitzgerald, Annette Kellermann and Grand Junction's first school teacher, Nancy Blain. 
Michael Hardesty
A veteran of Mesa Murder Mystery, WCCC films and commercial work, Michael has played many roles in his life. He currently portrays Bob Hope and Harry Houdini. He enjoys ballroom and swing dancing and instructing both. 
Angeline Roles
In 2017, Angeline stumbled onto a Chautauqua workshop and from that workshop, Roxy the Riveter was born, a woman based on her own mother’s experience as an ammunition’s loader during WWII. Angeline also portrays Minnie Pearl and Mae West. |
